Jobs hope glimmer for Burnley Remploy workers

Staff at Remploy Packaging told the Express last week they feared they would leave them on the scrap heap if the Accrington Road site was closed.

This followed the Government’s Sayce Report which recommended redirecting public money away from the 54 Remploy factories across the country – a move which could see 2,500 workers facing redundancy.

Employees based in Burnley claimed if the Government carried it through then many would be left unable to find another job.

But the Department for Work and Pensions assured the remaining 26 Burnley staff that the Sayce review was about spending money differently – not cutting it, and said money going into employment services for the disabled was being protected.

By spending funding differently the Government hopes to support an extra 35,000 disabled people into work.

The report is currently undergoing a period of consultation which ends on October 17th when a final decision will be made on the future of Remploy.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions urged staff in Burnley to take part in the process and make themselves heard.

He said: “This is a public consultation and everyone can get involved and give their views. In addition, to support this we are also holding a series of events which will allow some more detailed discussion of the recommendations.

“Whether or not someone attends an event they will still be able to make their views known directly to the consultation.”

Meanwhile, Remploy Burnley staff are stepping up their campaign to gain public support to save the factory.

Already they have collected more than 1,500 signatures on a petition from members of the public at Turf Moor. The group now plans to garner further support by campaigning in the town centre, in supermarkets and at further Clarets home games.

To get involved in the consultation process via an on-line facility, by email or post visit www.dwp.gov.uk/sayce-consultation before October 17th.